Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

I have settled in at my new house in Altona and am just about at the stage where I could start building my aquaponics system, just in time for Winter

I currently have 4 goldies in a blue barrel. In my old place the barrel was for rainwater from the leaking gutter and the goldies were for mozzy control. I brought them with me when I moved but all the gutters here are good so no water changes for the fish (feed twice a week, just did a 50% water change today, first in 4 months).

So I am thinking maybe just use my other blue barrell as a small growbed until I get my act together and make the 2 bathtub sized system I am envisioning. This is really for the fishes health and I guess to get started quicker when I have my proper system built.

I would re-use the pump and the gravel so wouldn't be throwing away money. Probably go Chift Pist for this and my proper system.

Would the system cycle in the coming months or should I just wait till spring before I start and just do a few more water changes to keep the fish happy? about 9 degrees outside at the moment after a high of 14.

Heading to the US of A in September for three weeks so would I be better waiting till I get back from there to start things off?

Thanks for your help

Trent

I would make a start now and by the time it cycles and the weather warms up everything will be ready for fish [ yea and put a bit of seasol in to help the plants] get around and have a look at a few systems it often makes it easier

cyclings gonna be a nightmare! just drove home and visibility with the fog is about 10 meters!

get her set up minus the fish, and cycle with urea. problem solved.

Well I have some fish already and they are pretty hardy as they have been living in the same 200l of water for 4 months with just what rains in the top to freshen it up. I felt sorry for them so changed about 80 litres out with rain water today.

If it will take 3 months to cycle half a blue barrel then it would probably be more trouble than its worth and I will just wait for spring. Anyone have any idea when sprng will happen this year?

If I keep my original 4 goldfish I could build the system and just wait for warmer weather before I up it and hope this means I am ready to go rather than having to wait for a system to cycle in spring.

Am I rambling now?

F&F, how do I go about getting a couple of bathtubs from your place of work?

At the moment theres none there . There was 4 going for free where i got the fish the other day [but i lost the phone no i know it was 368 liberty parade near nothland]

Spring happens on the 1st of November every year????? << scarcastic bastard.
Can i suggest you try and cycle some gravel ready for spring ....., you've got nothing to lose. I've got a few hundred litres of gravel cycling and don't even have my tank yet. It will be very handy for seeding the system when it comes on-line. ( don't tell steve that i've been heating the water to 21C ). Actually ,, on this subject ,, when Dad purchased the CD's and book after the original show on TV , it included support and a vial of algie to get the system going ..... the point here is ,, it costs only $12 to post a 3kg parcel ,, perhaps those with mature system could "send" 3 litres to those in need?? Worth thinking about.

Lets's try September

Nice idea Chappo...another would be to see what forumers are in your area (and if they like a drink ), work it out right and it could mean a feed, tour of a going system, a bucket of good AP rocks, water and a delicious drive home

firstly my applogies for you moving to altona.......go the goldies or comets they rock and are hard to kill....also try very small amounts of wee

I'm sure Rupert can help me out if I needed ,, but I always have my trusty aquarium sponge filters and have also already started gravel in a container,..... I was actually thinking of others ( oh dear i sound like some goody two shoes ,, lol )

Yep, my comment was for the general population also...much better fun looking at other systems too I reckon

Hi Trent. Are you renting or is it your place?
I go up the highway past Altona from Geelong couple times a week. Can drop in a bucket of cycled gravel 4 u. I would just run with some goldies and keep it low key til u get back from the States.